By William E. Boyajian

William E. Boyajian, G.G., president, Gemological Institute of America. Photo by Melissa Jacobs/GIA

This year marks GIA's 75th anniversary as a leading advocate of gemological education and research. To celebrate, we will hold an event unlike any other in the industry: our 4th International Gemological Symposium. And you're invited.

Our theme, "Navigating the Challenges Ahead," reflects the fact that we are entering uncharted territory in the coming years. We need to explore the economic, technical and geopolitical issues that will affect the industry in the 21st century and map a course for the future.

I can't think of any other event that will bring together so many sectors of the industry to rub shoulders and exchange ideas. It's an experience you may never be able to have again; a chance to learn, network and socialize with colleagues from around the globe.

We've invited the best and the brightest of the industry to share their perspectives. Maurice Tempelsman, David Yurman, Robert Wan, Nadja Swarovski, Martin Katz and François Curiel are just some of the innovators who will participate in the formal presentations. And you'll have the opportunity to share your own views and/or ask questions in these sessions.

Leading retailers, suppliers, dealers and designers will address diamonds, colored stones, cultured pearls, synthetics and treatments, and subjects such as retailing, manufacturing, marketing and reinventing your business.

We've also invited experts from outside of the industry to address security and safety, ethics, creativity, leadership and the luxury market. I'm particularly pleased that former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright will give the opening keynote address.

In all, more than 75 speakers and panelists will grace our stage.

GIA will also host – for the first time – a Gemological Research Conference just before Symposium gets under way. A must for any serious jeweler or gemologist, it will be a forum for sharing cutting-edge, scientific information.

Many former participants have shared stories with me about the amazing connections they made or ideas they developed as a result of attending past Symposia. There will be numerous opportunities for you to meet people you've admired from afar or catch up with colleagues at the formal presentations, networking lunches or evening social events.

If you don't attend, you're going to hear about it for the next five years. You'll want to be a part of experiencing what will be one of the most unique events in the history of the industry. You won't want to miss the education, the interaction, the fun and the time spent with friends, old and new.

I look forward to seeing you there.